The Port Townsend City Council voted on Nov. 18 to authorize the city manager to sign a nearly $2.4 million contract with Active Construction Inc. to construct the Water Street Sewer Replacement Project. 

The city estimates the project will cost nearly $3.2 million, with allocations for project design and permitting, construction, management and contingency. $2.7 million in loan and grant funding from the Public Works Board will account for most of the project cost, while the remaining $456,510 will be paid for by increased residential sewer rate fees that took effect in April. 

“I’m very happy to see that we’ve reached this stage of the project,” said project manager Andre Harper. “It’s in need of dire repair.” 

In January, crews will work to extend the city’s Monroe Lift Station force main by approximately 1,850 feet and replace 1,830 feet of existing sewer main along Water Street by inserting a smaller pipe into the larger failing pipe, according to the city. Work will last 8-10 weeks. 

The need for repairs was first identified in 2022 when a section of the sewer main near Gaines and Water streets failed, creating a sinkhole. The city found that the asbestos concrete pipe was rotting away due to gas emitted from the sewage. 

Following the failure, the city applied for funding to replace the sewer main. In 2023, the city secured the Public Works Board funding and began designing the fix.  

A second portion of the line failed in August near the Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry terminal on Water Street. At the time, Public Works Director Steve King commented, “If it would have held on for another three or four months, we wouldn’t have had a problem.” 

In addition to replacing the sewer main, crews will work on traffic control, temporary sewer bypasses, manhole rehabilitations, side sewer reinstatements, abandonment, restoration as well as coordination for construction sequencing, according to the city. 

Temporary road closures and detours along Washington Street may be required during the project.